Qualifying tests are online assessments used to shortlist candidates, and are most commonly used for larger courts and tribunal selection exercises and non-legal exercises.
They test candidates’ ability to analyse information, identify issues, understand the law appropriately, apply sound judgement, and succinctly and clearly explain how decisions are reached.
We set two types of qualifying tests: multiple choice tests, and scenario tests which require a written response.
Qualifying tests are marked in two ways. Multiple choice tests are scored automatically and a minimum score of 30% on each part of the multiple choice test is needed to progress to the next stage. The pass mark for each test is determined by how candidates’ scores are grouped once the test is completed. The pass mark is specific to each exercise as it depends on how strong the candidate field is and how many roles are available. We will look at the number of roles available to decide how many candidates will progress to interview. Usually two or three candidates for each post are interviewed.
Scenario tests are marked, name blind, by judges from the jurisdiction and moderated to ensure consistent marking.
When planning online tests the JAC tries, as far as is practicable, to avoid school holiday dates and judicial holidays. It is not possible to avoid all religious festivals that may occur for our candidates. We therefore do not attempt to avoid religious festivals, not least also because some festival dates cannot be determined many months ahead as required by our planning process.
If you are unable to sit the test on the date specified due to exceptional circumstances, which might include religious observances or a religious holiday, the JAC will arrange for you to take the test on a later date, which will usually fall no more than a week after the original date.